Which city is home to the Alhambra?
Quick answer
The Alhambra is in Granada, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. This hilltop fortress and palace complex was built mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries by the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim rulers in Spain. Its name comes from Arabic al-Ḥamrāʼ, “the red one,” after the color of its walls.
Key facts
- City
- Granada, Andalusia, Spain
- Built mainly
- 13th–14th centuries
- Builders
- The Nasrid dynasty
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site since 1984
The main areas
| Area | What it is |
|---|---|
| Nasrid Palaces | The royal residences, with finely carved stucco, tiles and carved wooden ceilings |
| Court of the Lions | A courtyard with a fountain supported by 12 marble lions |
| Alcazaba | The oldest part, a military fortress with watchtowers |
| Generalife | Summer palace and gardens with pools and fountains |
| Palace of Charles V | A Renaissance palace added after 1527 |
Writing on the walls
The walls are covered in Arabic calligraphy, including poems and the Nasrid motto, repeated thousands of times: “There is no victor but God.” Water channels, pools and fountains run throughout, reflecting Islamic ideas of paradise as a garden.
1492: the end of al-Andalus
On January 2, 1492, the last Nasrid sultan, Muhammad XII (known as Boabdil), surrendered Granada to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. This ended nearly 800 years of Muslim rule in parts of Spain. In the same year, Isabella and Ferdinand funded Columbus’s voyage; see which two countries share Hispaniola.
Rediscovery
The Alhambra fell into neglect for centuries. American writer Washington Irving lived there in 1829 and wrote Tales of the Alhambra (1832), which renewed worldwide interest. Restoration began in the 19th century.
Visiting tips
- The Alhambra is one of Spain’s most visited monuments, and tickets often sell out weeks ahead, so book through the official website.
- Tickets give a specific time slot for entering the Nasrid Palaces.
- For classic views of the Alhambra at sunset, head to the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín district.
Granada’s culture
Granada’s Sacromonte caves are famous for flamenco; see what flamenco is. For a cold Andalusian soup, see what gazpacho is.
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